Easter dinner sides beyond the ham lean spring, asparagus, peas and fresh green vegetables that show up right when the ham does, instead of another round of the same casseroles from Thanksgiving.
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This is a list built around my asparagus recipes plus potatoes, spring salads and a few classic sides, sorted so you can build a full table without repeating the holiday sides you already made in November.
A ham needs bright, fresh sides more than heavy ones. This list leans that direction on purpose.
Asparagus, Every Way
Asparagus hits peak season right around Easter, and it cooks fast enough to finish while the ham rests.
Asparagus Salad with Peas and Soft-Boiled Eggs
Roasted Asparagus and Tomatoes
Roasted Asparagus and Carrots (4 Ingredients)
Pan Fried Asparagus
Baked Asparagus Dip (Easy Asparagus Appetizer)
Creamy Asparagus Pasta Recipe
Air Fryer Asparagus
Warm Broccoli Rice Salad with Asparagus
Quick Pickled Asparagus
Potatoes for the Ham
Every ham dinner needs a potato. Here is one for every kind of table.
Irish Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Easy Creamy Potato Salad With Bacon And Cheese
Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)
Pesto Potato Salad
Sliced Potatoes In Air Fryer
Oven Roasted Potatoes with Herbs
Duchess Potatoes
Crispy Smashed Potatoes With Garlic Butter
Spring Salads
Something cold and crunchy to balance out the ham and potatoes.
Strawberry Arugula Salad With Feta
Beet Salad With Goat Cheese
Lemon Orzo Salad (With the Best Lemon Dressing!)
Creamy Cucumber Pea Salad
Russian Vinaigrette Salad
Classic Sides and Rolls
Rounding out the table with a few dependable favorites.
Carrots In Air Fryer
Copycat Red Lobster's Cheddar Bay Biscuits Recipe
Fluffy Dinner Rolls (Bread Machine or By Hand)
Tips for Spring Side Dishes
- Buy asparagus with tightly closed, compact tips – loose or flowering tips are a sign the stalks are past their best.
- Snap the woody end off each stalk instead of cutting it – asparagus naturally breaks where the tender part starts, so you never guess where to trim.
- Roast asparagus hot and fast, 400°F or above – a lower oven steams it instead of giving it any color or crisp edges.
- Cook asparagus last, closest to serving time – it only takes a few minutes and loses its bright color and snap if it sits.
- Balance one rich side with at least one bright, acidic one – a squeeze of lemon on the asparagus or a vinaigrette based salad cuts through a heavier ham and potatoes.
Easter Side Dish Questions
What sides go best with Easter ham?
Something bright and a little acidic balances the salt and sweetness of a glazed ham, like roasted asparagus, a strawberry arugula salad or a pesto potato salad. Pair one of those with something creamy, like Irish mashed potatoes, and the plate feels balanced. If you still need the ham itself, start with my honey glazed ham.
How do I make Easter dinner feel different from Thanksgiving?
Lean into spring produce, asparagus, peas and fresh herbs, instead of the root vegetables and heavy casseroles that dominate a Thanksgiving table.
Can I prep asparagus ahead of time?
Wash and trim it a day ahead and store it wrapped in a damp paper towel in the fridge. Cook it fresh close to serving, since it does not hold or reheat as well as heartier vegetables.
Pick two or three asparagus dishes, one potato and one salad, and the table looks like spring instead of a Thanksgiving repeat. For more ways to brighten up the plate, my bright lemon recipes are full of easy sides.
More Recipe Collections
- 27 St Patrick's Day Recipes: Cabbage Dinners, Irish Classics and Treats
- 28 Easter Brunch Recipes You Can Make Ahead
- 21 Slow Cooker Sunday Dinners
- 20 Cozy Slow Cooker Soups and Stews
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